Dwarf peach tree (54-P-455)

ABSTRACT

A genetically dwarf peach tree which is vigorous, spreading, and dense in growth with stocky, shaggy trunk and branches; foliated with large, acuminate, abruptly pointed leaves having a crenate, finely serrate margin, short petiole, and alternate, globose glands; and a regular and very productive bearer of large, uniform, symmetrical, globose, freestone fruit having yellow skin partially overspread with red, and yellow flesh which is firm, crisp, and meaty.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

Over a substantial number of years I have engaged in an extensive andcontinuing plant breeding program at my experimental nursery and orchardlocated near Le Grand, Merced County, Calif.; one purpose of suchprogram being to provide improved varieties of fruit trees. The presentvariety of dwarf peach tree resulted from my endeavors in the conduct ofsuch plant breeding program; such variety being embraced by Class 43,Plants, of the U.S. Patent Office Manual of Classification.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existent varieties of peach trees which are known to me, Imake particular reference to the Lovell (unpatented) mentionedhereinafter for the purpose of comparison.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of dwarf peach tree was originated by me in myexperimental nursery and orchard, located as aforesaid, as a firstgeneration cross between the Golden Glory dwarf peach (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 2,418) as the seed parent and the Bonanza dwarf peach (U.S. PlantPat. No. 2,213) as the pollen parent.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

I asexually reproduced the variety by top-working on mature orchardtrees in my said experimental orchard, and-- in maturity-- suchreproductions ran true to the original tree in all respects.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The herein-claimed new and distinct variety of dwarf peach tree isvigorous, spreading, and dense in growth with stocky, shaggy trunk andbranches; foliated with large, acuminate, abruptly pointed leaves havinga crenate, finely serrate margin, short petiole, and alternate, globoseglands; and a regular and very productive bearer of large, uniform,symmetrical, globose, freestone fruit having yellow skin partiallyoverspread with red, and yellow flesh which is firm, crisp, and meaty.

The herein-claimed new and distinct variety of dwarf peach tree has thedesirable characteristics-- especially in the fruit-- of the full sizeLovell peach tree, yet-- because of its low height-- the tree of thepresent variety can be pruned, thinned, and the fruit harvestedtherefrom, more readily and much more economically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is an illustration, by photographic reproduction in color,of a twig with leaves, and separate fruit; one of the latter beinghalved with the stone remaining in one half.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical details of this new and distinct variety of dwarf peachtree-- with color definitions referenced to Maerz and Paul Dictionary ofColor-- are as follows:

Tree:

Class.--Genetically dwarf.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Growth.--Spreading.

Density.--Dense.

Production.--Very productive.

Bearing.--Regular bearer.

Trunk:

Size.--Stocky.

Texture.--Shaggy.

Branches:

Size.--Stocky.

Texture.--Shaggy.

Leaves:

Size.--Large. Average length -- 7". Average width -- 15/8".

Form.--Acuminate. Abruptly pointed.

Thickness.--Medium.

Color.--Top Side -- Medium green (23-J-7). Under Side -- Lighter green(22-L-7).

margin.--Crenate. Finely serrate.

Petiole.--Short. Medium thickness.

Glands.--Average number -- 2 to 3. Usually on base of blade, sometimeson petiole. Alternate. Medium size. Globose.

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Flowers:

Blooming period.--Feb. 22, 1977, - Mar. 7, 1977. Early, as compared withother varieties.

Size.--Large.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Hard -- Aug. 20, 1977.

Date of first picking.--Aug. 15, 1977.

Date of last picking.--Aug. 25, 1977.

Size.--Large. Uniform. Average diameter axially -- 23/4". Averagetransversely in suture plane -- 25/8".

Form.--Uniform. Symmetrical. Globose.

Suture.--Shallow. Extends from base to apex, with slight depressionbeyond pistil point.

Ventral surface.--Rounded strongly.

Base.--Rounded.

Apex.--Depressed.

Pistil point.--Wanting.

Skin:

Thickness.--Thick.

Texture.--Medium.

Tendency to crack.--None noted.

Down.--Moderate. Short.

Color.--Yellow (10-L-5) partially overspread with red (4-L-7).

Flesh:

Juice.--Moderate.

Texture.--Firm. Crisp. Meaty.

Fibers.--Few.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.--Subacid. Vinous.

Aroma.--Wanting.

Eating quality.--Good.

Color.--Yellow (10-L-4).

surface of pit cavity.--Red (5-L-6) lightly streaked into flesh.

Stone:

Type.--Free.

Size.--Medium. Average length -- 11/8". Average length -- 1". Averagethickness -- 5/8".

Form.--Oblong.

Base.--Straight.

Apex.--Rounded to acute.

Sides.--Equal.

Ventral edge.--Thin.

Dorsal edge.--Full, with broad groove throughout.

Tendency to split.--Slight.

Color.--Brown (8-L-7) with reddish shade.

Use: Market -- local. Dessert. Culinary.

Keeping quality: Medium.

Resistance to insects and diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Shipping quality: Medium.

The dwarf peach tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slightdetail due to climatic and soil conditions under which the variety maybe grown; the present description being of the variety as grown in theCentral Valley of Calif.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, which, while having the desirablecharacteristics of the full-size Lovell, is-- in comparison--genetically dwarf.